My Genealogy Hound

Capt. T. M. East, farmer and member of the Okolona Merchandise Co., resides two miles west of that town, but was born in Newberry District, S. C, in 1830, being a son of Joel and Rebecca (Williams) East, whose native State was South Carolina, where they made their home until 1841, at which time they moved to Mississippi, and a few years later to Memphis, Tenn. In the latter State Mr. East died in 1847, after which event his family soon returned to South Carolina, where Mrs. East passed to her long home in 1855, both having been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for many years. Mr. East was a farmer and wagon-maker, and a son of William East, of Virginia, who was a mechanic by trade, and died in Newberry District, S. C. The subject of this sketch was one of a large family of children, of whom himself and two daughters only are living. Only four of the children arrived at mature years, and one son and brother, the oldest, was drowned December 25, 1847, in a lake formed out of Wolf River, just above Memphis, Tenn. With but meager advantages for acquiring an education, T. M. East passed his boyhood in farm labor, and after following overseeing for some years he, in 1856, went to Kansas and took part in the troubles there, but in 1857 came to Clark County and was here married in 1859, his wife being a Miss Susan, daughter of Dr. Enoch S. and Jane Haynes, native Tennesseeans, who removed to Arkansas in an early day, where they made their home for a number of years, afterward removing to Texas. In the "Lone Star State," Mrs. Haynes passed to her long home. The Doctor is still living and is a practicing physician of many years' standing. Mrs. East was born in Yell County, Arkansas, and died in I860, leaving one child— William B. Mr. East's second marriage took ; place in January, 1803, his wife being Telitha E., daughter of Abraham L. and Amanda Weir, who were born in Kentucky and Missouri, respectively, but who removed to Arkansas when young, in which State they were reared and married and spent the rest of their lives. Mr. Weir died on the 14th of March, 1879, having been a minister of the Methodist Church, South, and in 1858-59 he represented Clark County in the State Legislature, and was at one time a member of Arkansas State Militia. He was also a member of the A. F. & A. M. His wife died November 23, 1887. Mrs. East was born in Clark County, Ark., and her union with Mr. East has resulted in the birth of four children— two sons and two daughters. Mr. East was a resident of Pike County until after the death of his first wife, but has since made his home in this county, being the owner of an excellent farm of 360 acres, of which 150 are under cultivation. He was in the mercantile business in Okolona during 1867-68-69, and since 1889 has again given this calling his attention, and is connected with the Okolona Mercantile Company. He has been a Democrat all his life, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Robert Morris Lodge No. 106, of Okolona. He has been a worthy member of the Methodist Church since 1860, and his wife is also a member. In June, 1861, he joined Company B, Twelfth Arkansas Infantry, and was in the engagements at New Madrid, Tiptonville and Island No. 10, and served as first lieutenant. From Island No. 10 he was sent home for recruits, and was not allowed to return to his command, but was put into Company I, Thirty-third Arkansas Infantry, and was made its captain, which position he held until the close of the war, in Arkansas and Louisiana. He also took part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pleasant Hill and Mansfield. In the winter of 1863-64 he was sent with eighteen men into the mountains of Pike and Montgomery Counties, Ark., to look for deserters, and at Caddo Gap came upon a battalion of Arkansas Federals. One man was killed, and the others supposed to be, as the Captain states he never afterward heard of them. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex., in May, 1865, and returned to his long-neglected farm in Clark County.